Women's World Cup 2015: Defense Is Key to USWNT Going Forward

It is not a coincidence that through the group stage of the 2015 Women’s World Cup, the defining moments for the United States Women’s National Team have come from their defense.

From Meghan Klingenberg heading the ball off the line against Sweden to Julie Johnston’s improbable sliding challenge against Nigeria, the back five have been the standout performers for the USWNT thus far.

That trend will have to continue if the USWNT are going to win their third World Cup.

There comes a point with certain problems where the only solution is to work around it. We have reached that point with the United States midfield.

Fans can clamor for a switch in formation to a 4-3-3 or a 4-3-1-2, but coach Jill Ellis didn’t bring the personnel required for such a change. Regardless, now is not the time for a complete tactical overhaul.

Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

With no options, the USWNT has no choice but to rely on elevated play from the players behind and in front of their much-maligned midfield.

With four goals in the group stage, the United States attackers have done just enough to survive. Despite only scoring once in three matches, the resumes of strikers Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux suggest they’ll be able to find the back of the net when needed.

Assuming the troika do just that, the onus will shift to the defense to get the job done and see the match out. That job becomes much more complicated with Lauren Holiday and Carli Lloyd neither controlling possession nor offering much protection for the back four.

Thus far, the USWNT’s defense has not been deterred by the shortcomings of their midfield. All five women have pitched in and worked for each other, operating with a level of urgency commensurate with the position in which they find themselves.

The statistics through the group stage are indicative of how well the unit has played.

Opponent	Shots	On Target	Blocked	Saved	Goals
Australia	11	6	2	5	1
Sweden	9	0	5	0	0
Nigeria	7	2	2	2	0

The number of shots on target relative to shots attempted is a good barometer for the quality of chances created. Since they conceded early against Australia, the back four has locked down the opposition. Everything else has been dealt with by goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Via Sports Illustrated’s Liviu Bird, Ellis summed up the situation nicely:

"

Jill Ellis last night: "If you don't give up any goals, I think you have a hell of a chance" to win the World Cup. http://t.co/UgJKIShTie

— Liviu Bird (@liviubird) June 17, 2015"

Johnston, playing in her first major tournament with the USWNT, has been the squad’s breakout performer, earning high praise from Alexei Lalas.

According to Bird, Johnston is pretty blunt when it comes to the standards set by the USWNT's defense.

"

As a back line, that’s our ultimate goal. We don’t want to have any goals against us. We’re really disappointed that we gave one up against Australia.

"

The question now becomes whether or not the back five can keep making match-altering plays. As surely as the goals will come from Wambach and Co., so too will come increased pressure from the opposition. France, Germany and Brazil are all capable of creating better chances than the likes of Australia, Sweden and Nigeria.

France proved capable of taking advantage of a lackluster United States defense in February, winning 2-0 on goals scored a minute apart. While neither Johnston nor Solo played in that match, the loss is evidence these teams can find a way through anything but the United States’ best defense.

Through three matches, we’ve seen the best of the United States defense. With the spotlight now on them, the back five will have to do its best to carry their team to wins in the knockout round.